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Pringle calls on Government to address Section 39 pay disparity
- Updated: 13th June 2023
Independent TD for Donegal, Thomas Pringle, has called on Government to address the pay disparity of Section 39 organisations.
Addressing the Dáil today, Deputy Pringle said: “The Department of Health’s Disability Capacity Review commits to providing sustainable quality services for all users. Yet, none of this can happen if voluntary organisations cannot recruit and retain the staff needed to deliver their existing funded services.
“Over two-thirds of all disability services are delivered by the voluntary sector, with their terms and conditions covered under section 39.
“On the ground in Donegal, organisations and workers are telling me it is the disparity in pay and conditions in Section 39 funded organisations compared to their HSE and Section 38 counterparts, that is fuelling the recruitment and retention problems they face. Workers don’t feel valued, and organisations are at crisis point.
“It’s not good enough to continue to take a hands-off approach, or say it is a matter for the organisations as employers, when you know that their funding comes exclusively from the HSE and the Department of Health and most ultimately is sanctioned by the Department of Public Expenditure.”
Deputy Pringle said: “Will you commit to getting the appropriate ministers, the HSE and the representative bodies around the table and finally address the pay disparity of Section 39 organisations?”
The deputy raised the issue during questions on policy or legislation.
In his response, Minister Roderic O’Gorman said engagement is taking place between the relevant agencies and departments in terms of bringing about a resolution and said it was early stages in the process. The minister said he and Minister Rabbitte want to see the capacity review implemented and look forward to bringing forward an action plan later this year in terms of the financing of the first three years of the capacity review.
